Composition for laying road-dust.



UNITED sTATEs' PATENT OFFICE.

)AltliElON ELLIS, OF LARGHMONT, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ELLIS-FORSTERCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

COMPOSITION FOR LAYING ROAD-DUST.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 10, 1907.

Application filed May 27,1907. Serial No. 375,806-

l'o all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, CARLETON ELLrs, a citizen of the United States, anda resident of Larchmont, in the county of Westchester and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compositionfor Laying Road-Dust, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an improved composition of matter for layingstreet dust and preventing the occurrence of dust thereon and compriseswaste sulfite cellulose liquor from paper mills preferably emulsifiedwith oils, tar or similar oily matter.

Sulfite liquor of from say 20 to 30 Baum is preferably employed althoughthe exact strength of the liquor for this application is not of extremeimportance. However for most purposes I prefer the liquor in aconcentrated form nearly approaching the consistency of molasses.

An illustrativ'e formula representing the preferred form of my inventionconsists of concentrated sulfite liquor and petroleum residuum or trackoil emulsified together in about equal parts by agitation. Theproportions may be considerably modified to meet different conditions. Asandy soil may require a larger proportion of oil while a heavy soil maycall for sulfite liquor as the major constituent.

- While oil alone has a tendency to form an unpleasant mud during a thawthe emulsion containing the sulfite liquor tends to give the soil greatfirmness. Further- I more the emulsion is sufficiently penetrating toproduce effective impregnation even when the soil is damp from rainsetc. The addition of deliquescent salts as calcium chlorid or magnesiumchlorid is -beneficial and an illustratiye formula comprising a salt ofthis character consists of one gallon sulfite liquor, one and one halfpounds of calcium chlorid and one. gallon petroleum oil mixed andincorporated by stirring and beating. If desired the oil may be omittedespecially when its petrolic odor is held as objectionable. A suitableformula for the preparation of such a composition consists ofconcentrated sulfite liquor one gallon mixed with magnesium chlorid of 8Baum one half gallon.

Obviously other salts than those described may be added but the onesmentioned are useful because of their hydroscopic nature. Nonhydroscopic salts are not as useful in laying dust. I prefer thesolution or composition to be substantially neutral for mostapplications but the results are occasionally more satisfactory when thecomposition isacid or alkaline. Apparently a calcareous road bed isadapted toa slightly acid composition while a peaty road bed often showsexcellent results with an alkaline reacting composition. If acidifiedwith hydrochloric acid the composition produccs calcium chlorid whenapplied to limestone roads. Disinfecting material may also be added asfor instance wood creosote, copper salts or other antiseptic material.The' composition has a disinfecting action even without the addition ofspecial antiseptics, especially if made with a considerable proportionof tarry matter.

My composition has the important advantage of cheapness as the rawmaterials are largely by-products of other industries.

The composition (diluted with water if desired) is applied by sprinklingor spraying on the road bed thereby impregnating the surface layers witha cementing and hardening compound which produces a firm surfaceresulting in dust free roads. It may be applied equally well to highwaysand railroad beds.

What I claim is;

1. Composition for laying road dust comprising i an emulsion containing.waste sulfite liquor and a deliqnesn cent salt.

2.- Composition for laying road dust comprising an emulsion ofconcentrated waste sulfite liquor and an oily body.

Signed at New York in the county of New York and State of New York this25th day of May A. D. 1907.

CARLETON ELLIS.

Witnesses:

GODFREY M. S. TAIT, FLETCHER l'. Seven-inn.

